West Side History
From Then to Now

West Side began as a body of believers in 1964 as the Virginia Avenue Baptist Mission. Originally, the church was a mission point sponsored by Harrisonburg Baptist Church in order to foster a Baptist presence on the west side of Harrisonburg.

In 1970, the mission was officially constituted with fifty-eight charter members under the name we bear today: West Side Baptist Church.

Like most churches, the buildings, ministries, and faces have changed over the past fifty years, but the heart of the mission is still intact. Despite our ups and downs as well as our victories and minor defeats, we still strive, as our motto indicates, to “share the unchanging message of Christ with an ever-changing world.”

We invite you to roll up your sleeves and join us in these worthy endeavors as Christ would call you to do!